In 1529, he successfully passed the capital's huishi exam and received the degree of gongsheng.

He was offered a position at the Hanlin Imperial Academy, but Tang chose to serve in the military department.

Then he received the post of Governor of Fengyang County (in modern Anhui Province) to strengthen the fight against pirates.

During this service, Tang Shunzhi died in Tongzhou, having previously obtained success in destruction of the pirates.

Tang Shunzhi has to his credit works on studying methods for measuring the elements of a circle.